Computools

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of an IT outsourcing company that develops websites and mobile apps.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Computools?

We were hired for development on a project, but we did not have the internal resources to handle it completely on our own. Specifically, we needed backend and iOS developers to work with our own designer, Android developer, QA specialist, and project manager.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal was to create a minimum viable product (MVP) mobile application for iOS and Android.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We chose Computools from among five companies. Their sales manager was the first to respond to our request that indicated we were looking for a team with fast communication skills and detailed and reasonable evaluations. We hired Computools because we initially believed they fit our needs.

Describe the project in detail.

The project involved creating an app that would be used in the healthcare industry. Specifically, the app would have administration panels with statistics and the ability to make payments and manage users. Backend development was to be done using Node.js with real-time data synchronization as the largest development challenge.

What was the team composition?

The Computools team consisted of backend and iOS developers and a project manager to work with our own team of designers and developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Our work with Computools was unsuccessful. The first bad sign was a delay in backend development tasks that were to be done in two-week sprint cycles. The architecture was very poor, and each time we added new a functionality the old ones stopped working. As a result, iOS and Android development was delayed by a month and a half. They eventually replaced their Node.js developer with a more professional one and he managed to fix the main issues in a month.

The iOS version was bad as well. Basic functionality such as registration and login had multiple bugs. Then we faced the next problems when Computools fired their iOS developer and it took a month for a replacement to be hired. The new developer worked less than three weeks before he too was replaced, but it still didn’t solve the issues. When one bug was fixed, three more appeared and we were forced to stop working with Computools. Instead of three months, development took eight and the product still wasn’t ready. By the time we stopped working with Computools there were more than 120 bugs overall and around 30 critical ones. We were forced to rebuild most of the functionality for the iOS version of the app ourselves to get it working.

After ending our partnership with Computools I wrote to their CEO about the situation and asked for possible solutions. In response, he did not take responsibility.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We had daily scrum meetings with them and they never delivered what was planned. Every build was full of bugs.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Maybe the only good thing about working with them was the communication of their account/sales manager. I had the impression that he was doing his best to help us and solve issues.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am in charge of online marketing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Computools?

We hired them to create online automation and customer flow systems, beginning at the point of inquiry on the website all the way through to acquisition.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to simplify the buying process and reduce the customer journey significantly.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I’ve operated in the web development space for over 11 years—I’ve had my own internal team and I’ve also outsourced work to India. I found Computools through research in 2015 and they’ve been a great partner ever since.

Describe the project in detail.

Computools has assisted my business in all sorts of ways, including web development, building CRM [Customer Relationship Management] systems, and API integration for clients across multiple platforms. They’ve been able to wholly understand the needs of my projects and create systems and processes that help streamline client’s progression online.

Explain how the solution addressed your business challenge.

The businesses I own is constantly looking for ways to help reduce client acquisition time and make the customer experience as easy as possible. Computools was able to fully implement the procedures required and they always had a great understanding of what was needed.

What was the team composition?

I worked with 2 developers and both were excellent, and even though the company is not based in the U.K., they were easy to communicate with and always delivered per their high standards of work.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What outcomes or results can you share that demonstrate progress and/or success?

Our customer entry acquisition progression used to take 2–3 weeks, however, as a result of their ongoing development, this has been reduced to 48 hours. All client acquisition and processing is done online and they have helped us to fully optimize our business practices.

How effective was the project management?

Their project management was excellent. The biggest challenge I’ve faced with outsourced companies is communicating exactly how the project will work, but Computools has been the best company I have ever worked with and I strongly recommend them.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was most impressed with their honesty, integrity, and work ethic. Comparing them to companies I’ve hired before—which are only concerned about taking your money while providing poor customer service—Computools has always been able to manage our projects properly and efficiently, resolving any issues very quickly.

What tips or recommendations do you have?

My recommendation is to stop using other outsourcing companies and work with Computools.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We provide video recordings of user experiences at leisure venues, such as go cart tracks or paintballing arenas. I’m the director.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Computools?

We needed a freelance developer or agency to build our software from scratch.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our videos are normally recorded on wearable cameras. The software allows the user to upload the data from the camera to a computer, and then scrubs the camera memory. The user can then manage everything from the computer, including sharing the finished videos on social media. Computools had the first version of the software completed in about a month.

What is the team dynamic?

Four people from their team worked with us. Sergii [Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Computools] was our initial project manager, and our current manager is Marina [Web Developer, Computools]. They’re located in Ukraine, so most of our communication is via Skype.

How did you come to work with Computools?

We found them through oDesk [Upwork]. We considered three developers for the project, but Computools had the most experience with this kind of software.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $2,000 on the initial build.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the project late in 2014. We still work together to fix bugs and amend the software.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The functionality is great when it’s working properly. The software does need minding, as it can be buggy and unpredictable at times. Overall, it’s been reliable, and I understand that bugs are normal for this kind of software.

How did Computools perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re great communicators, with great response times. There is a one- or two-hour time difference, but they’re happy to work late to match our schedule. The skills of their project managers are improving all the time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I can message them any time of day, and I usually have a response back within a few minutes, even late at night. The software is really good, and a good value.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Overall cost has been difficult to predict. Bugs add hours to the schedule, so it’s hard to know what final costs will be.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Get a contract and plan ahead. Even simple feature changes can be costly, so it’s important to know what to expect, and to share your goals and future plans with your software company. Make sure you’re on the same page, especially for the project timeline and potential bugs.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CEO and founder of a local services and marketing analytics startup.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Computools?

Our startup was formed with a number of engineers and developers in-house who were originally going to build our platform from the ground up, but due to extenuating circumstances, they had to leave the company before the project was complete. We had a limited amount of capital available for contracting out our development work, and it was vital that we find a team to build and launch the product in order to attract investors. Because time and money were a problem, it was most important that they could reverse engineer the original website, simplify the content, and then publish the platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They needed to adapt the original, incomplete platform – built on Angular – into Node.js on the frontend and MongoDB on the backend. During development, they also worked with HTML, CSS, Javascript, MySQL, and other tools as needed. Computool’s primary objective was to simplify the central concept of the platform, refactor the code base, and launch a much more straightforward concept as a minimum viable product. When that was ready, we planned on releasing it to online pilot communities for their feedback. Unfortunately, we could only afford to engage Computools through the completion of a basic version of our desired product, and as such we had to suspend the contract until we can acquire further investment capital.

What is the team dynamic?

Computools’ team consisted of one project manager, two developers, one quality assurance tester, one designer, and a web page formatting specialist. Select team members were only engaged part time.

How did you come to work with Computools?

After a friend referred them, I studied their offerings and determined that their online reviews were suitable and the pricing was reasonable.

How much have you invested with them?

They charged $25/hour, but I do not have a final figure available.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began our collaboration in February 2017 and it had concluded by the end April, even though the product is not officially complete.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

They were able to successfully release a working version of our desired platform. Since the project was incomplete at the time of the engagement’s conclusion, however, we do not have concrete evidence to share in terms of the success of their development work.

How did Computools perform from a project management standpoint?

As is the case with most development firms, it was clear from the start that their focus is on their own business, rather than prioritizing helping us to achieve our own goals. Their team often went the extra mile in terms of overtime hours spent working to complete their tasks on schedule. A few deadlines were missed due to stability issues inherent to finishing a dev sprint on Agile, which is to be expected. There were periodic miscommunication issues (wherein they did not fully understand the concept of what I had requested), but overall they handled everything professionally.

What did you find most impressive about them?

These Ukranian developers had a level of technical competency that I had not seen in any other web dev teams around the world. Their fluency in English, despite it being at least the developers’ second language, was both welcome and particularly admirable.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Do your due-diligence on the team being assigned to you to ensure that they are the people most suited to your needs. Keep track of the hours they spend on the work, and make sure you are willing to pay for all the hours billed.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a company that develops and supports a suite of public safety products and other applications in public and private markets. We also engage in custom software project development, often incorporating an offshore component.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Computools?

With the growth of the security video market, we decided to develop a software system that would allow private security camera owners to register their cameras with local police departments. When an incident happens, the police could access a map-based database of security cameras. This way, police officers can determine if any of the cameras were located close to the incident and may possibly contain pertinent visual information. Video recordings stored in such cameras could greatly benefit the police in their investigative work.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We are a development organization, so we had our people checking the proposals. We agreed to Computools’ proposed architecture and technologies. They wanted to do the work on PHP Symfony and MySQL, which all sounded good.

Once we finalized the specifications, they came up with a schedule that we thought was good and fair. After that, we began the development phase. We discussed the design and then followed up the development process, having regular status report meetings on Skype. We checked on them, and they reported to us on a weekly basis.

What is the team dynamic?

We work with two people—a developer and a resource on the architecture side.

How did you come to work with Computools?

We had already worked with Computools on several projects, so it was an easy decision to select them as software developers. They clearly possessed the technical expertise to develop the software. We had several reasons for choosing them, including their flexibility and price.

How much have you invested with them?

Computools provided us with an estimate and delivered the product within that estimate. Based on our experience, we felt that the estimate was fair.

What is the status of this engagement?

The initial phase of the development took about two months. We’ve decided to significantly expand the functionality of the software. Currently, Computools is still working with us on this project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The first phase went very well, and we were very pleased. The final product had the functionality we agreed upon. We examined the code and found it well written. The quality of the product was very good, that's why we didn't hesitate to engage Computools in the development of phase two of the product.

This is not the first time we’ve used an outsourced organization, but Computools is really one of the best that we’ve worked with. They’re absolutely honest, and I haven’t experienced any problems in that respect. Overall, the experience has been very positive. It is more advantageous to have some of our people working on internal projects or projects with our customers while we use Computools to develop something at a reasonable price.

How did Computools perform from a project management standpoint?

The project development is managed internally by Computools, so we are mostly overseeing the process. The project management is included in the price, so we do not have to pay for the extra manpower they provide in managing the project internally. For example, when they say “500 man hours,” that is development man-hours. The internal management that they’ve provided is included, which was very good. It alleviates some of the pressure U.S.-based organizations have when they have to spend more of their own manpower to run projects. In that respect, all we had to do was a higher level of follow-up.

What I like about Computools is their communication skills and their ability to hit deadlines on time. They perform on schedule, and the delivery is good in terms of quality. I don't have any problems communicating with them. They write all of the reports in English. They use Redmine, a project management tool, and that was all in English.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a very positive attitude, which I enjoy a lot, and their technical skills are impressive. During this project, I got acquainted with their VP in charge of technical development, and he’s very impressive. Technologically, they are on the cutting edge of what they do, even if they don't do everything. They use a lot of interesting technologies, which is good.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The developers are in Ukraine, so their English is not perfect. They will have to work on it, and I understand that they are doing so. If there is something they could improve, their English skills would probably be it.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a U.S.-based SaaS platform that combines hundreds of applications and coordinates the different systems to act as one. Our initial focus is on marketing systems that handle artwork creation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Computools?

The challenge we have is immense because there are thousands of potential applications to integrate with. The opportunity is to become a single platform that best combines all of the different systems into one solution.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We used PHP and Node.js as the development languages. PHP is our “legacy” version and Computools is redoing it on Node.js. The platform itself is comprised of a bunch of different integrations. We integrate many different applications together to provide one single system that our users are able to access.

We combined emails, CRM, digital asset management, product information management, workflow, and any flavor of those that the client might have when joining. For example, if a user has a CRM that they’re already happy with, we can integrate that CRM into our system, but they will see the same interface. Whether you’re switching from Salesforce or some other CRM, the user interface on our side looks exactly the same.

What is the team dynamic?

After choosing Computools, I started bringing on one to two people a week from their team. After one guy was trained, he would then start training the next guy so that I didn’t have to train them. I now have over 12 people from their team working on this project.

How did you come to work with Computools?

I was contacted on LinkedIn by one company who, after hearing my requirements, said that they wouldn't be able to fulfil them. They then referred me to Computools. Computools provided me with the initial developer to start with and he did a great job. At that time, I was trying out two other companies and Computools was the only one that was proficient.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent $50,000 a month for the last two months because the project has ramped up. So far, we’ve spent at least $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2017 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

When we first launched our product at the beginning of the year, we were at 30,000 users a month and now we’re at 70,000. The bump in users is a result of the increased option rate and the new toys that Computoolls have built for me. We’re about to start onboarding 600,000 people in two weeks.

How did Computools perform from a project management standpoint?

Computools has been great on delivery. We had some hiccups in the beginning, but that was because I was bringing on too many of their developers too quickly and I didn’t have enough support on my side to handle it. It was definitely not on them. It was more of a limitation on my side.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are very accommodating. They have very talented people. I’ve worked with hundreds of overseas developers and it’s not normal to have such excellent overseas developers. I don’t have to babysit Computools. They speak great English. They’ve also really helped with making suggestions on how to improve the product. A lot of overseas development teams will just do what they’re told and don’t really provide any thought into what they’re doing. Computools definitely does a great job at that.

I highly recommend Computools, they have been an exceptional partner and we will continue to use them for the foreseeable future.

Are there any areas they could improve?

When we were ramping up, there were some problems. I asked for more developers when I should have asked for more business analysts, which in turn caused problems because the developers didn't understand everything completely. We should have slowed down initially to understand the whole system.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We offer design work for primarily startup companies in Israel. I’m in charge of business development. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Computools?

We often come across companies that need programming skills for certain projects. We were looking for a vendor that provides these services to help our clients. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve done quite a few projects with Computools. Sometimes, they supplied full position staffing. At other times, they assisted with a specific task that needed to be done. They’ve created mobile applications for us as well.

One project involved building a real estate web application. The company wanted a full-stack solution. We went to Computools in order to offer this client 2 programmers—1 for the frontend, and 1 for the backend. This is more cost-efficient than having 1 expensive programmer who knows everything doing basic work on the frontend. They worked for 8 or 9 months on the project. We’ve recommended both programmers to another company.

At another point, a client needed help with creating a mobile application. They had their own team of programmers who couldn’t find a huge bug in the app. When we helped them with some of the design, they told us about the bug. I asked Computools to take a look, and they found the bug. Most companies don’t offer that kind of help. Computools doesn’t just do it for the money; they truly want to help our clients.

How many resources have been assigned to your project?

For an English bank presentation, we had 5 people working continuously, including a QA person. We have a few other projects that we’re running with them, so we may have 10 people working for us at a time.

How did you come to work with Computools?

Our office is also based in Ukraine. Our COO found them and did some testing. They’re a good match for our needs, and we like working with them.

How much have you invested with Computools?

Pricing depends on the project. Each programmer costs an average of $40 per hour.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Computools over a year ago. We’ve done a lot of projects together in that time and continue to partner with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or impact of the engagement?

Most of our clients are tech startups in Israel. I’m not a programmer, but the fact that our clients are happy with the service, approve of the code, and continue recommending us says a lot to me. Our services are blended, so their capabilities have a major impact on our reputation.

How did Computools perform from a project management standpoint?

They communicate well, and the budget hasn’t been an issue. They honor our agreements.

What did you find most impressive about Computools?

They have all kinds of specialists on board. If we need to expand the project or someone specific to lend a hand, they’re able to provide that. We had a client that with a really short deadline. Computools was able to ramp up the team quickly to 2 developers to finish the project on time. Usually, if you hire 1 programmer, that’s all you have. With Computools, we’re able to expand the team quickly while maintaining the same project manager. It’s hard to ramp up a team by hiring an in-house person, and it’s impossible to do with a deadline. Computools can scale the team in a day.

They’re responsive. If something doesn’t go according to plan, we can always call them. My point of contact is a business developer also. I call him days, nights, or weekends. If a client calls on Sunday with a problem, I can get the problem resolved. They’re able to come up with a creative solution. The whole team is willing to work harder to address any issues. They help us stay on budget and within the deadline. They don’t make any excuses. They do whatever they can to give good service.

Are there any areas Computools could improve?

I don’t have anything to suggest. Their customer service is great. They’re always available. I’ve worked with other companies who didn’t do that well. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner, founder, and CEO of Workplace Remote. It is a startup for the remote control of PCs through mobile devices. While we’re on the market, our marketing strategy started just a few weeks ago.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Computools?

I was working with several companies before, but they left the project unfinished. Then, an in-house developer worked on the first pages. Eventually, I decided that there was no need to hire a full-time resource, so we moved to outsourcing the rest of the project.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Computools started with small projects, some private programs that were related to the commercial product. Recently, they developed the driver that could be installed on professional PC or laptops. Since the driver was intended for 3 operational systems, Computools suggested using Qt. The driver is connected to web service and mobile devices, all of which had to be synchronized. The mobile app development was done mostly by my team, but Computools provided protocol and design input. Together, they produced a free app on the App Store and Google Play. Since they have good specialists for emergencies, Computools also helped out during complicated times,

There was a senior and junior programmer. When that wasn’t enough, they added more resources. There were approximately 10 resources: a designer, several web resources, several mobile resources, and 3 resources for driver development. I’m not counting testers, but a lot of the resources I worked with were quite good.  

Computools can also do strategy and marketing. However, marketing requires commercial information, and not all of our information can be distributed outside the company. They know some things, but they are not involved in the deep details.

How did you come to work with Computools?

I was looking from friend to friend. I wanted a long-term collaboration with someone who provided very good code quality and support.   

How much have you invested with Computools?

I was extremely satisfied with the cost.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together 3 years ago. The first project was a private thing. Computools began working on the other project 2 years ago.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Computools finalized a very good product that satisfied my needs. We’ve received good feedback from users.

Computools’ resources are extremely good with technology — their knowledge and experience saved me a lot of money.

How did Computools perform from a project management standpoint?

They were in charge of the entire development, including the communication between the teams. I know the developers and the management team personally. On a collaboration level, they know what they’re doing. We always talked about what we were going to do, which was important for me since I was far away.

The process has been up and down. When we started to work, it was my idea to estimate the projects. In the past, what I estimated was usually correct. However, there were times when I increased the number of tasks quickly, and things went beyond my original estimate. That was my mistake, not theirs.

What did you find most impressive about Computools?

I think they are extremely good at making compromises. The management is young, so they have time to grow up.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the VP of Sales, Western Canada at Fastfrate Group of Fastfrate Group

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

The Fastfrate Group is one of Canada’s largest privately held intermodal LTL carriers with coast-to-coast facilities and services. Our group expertise encompasses the entire supply chain including intermodal LTL and TL, logistics, cross-border, drayage and transload, warehousing, distribution, and final mile B2B and B2C deliveries. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Computools to accomplish?

• Fantastic code for ships

SOLUTION

How did you find Computools?

Clutch Site

Why did you select Computools over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from Computools were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Computools offers a wide range of services designed to help and improve our online store. Computools makes sure that scalable, secure, and feature-rich solutions are developed to satisfy our particular company demands by utilizing cutting-edge technologies and industry knowledge.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Fantastic code was shipped.
enhanced the product
Create a pipeline for software development.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

After all these years, Computools never fails to arrive on time and with a quality that never ceases to amaze me.  They work well as a team and are adaptable and communicative.  Our company's success has been greatly attributed to our collaboration with Inoxoft.

What was your primary form of communication with Computools?

Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Since we collaborate so closely, it can occasionally be difficult to recall that they are a third-party contractor.  They are a member of our core group.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Computools could have done differently?

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Managing Director at NLB Lease&Go

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

NLB Lease&Go is a member of the NLB Group, a leading banking and financial services group with headquarters and exclusive strategic interest in our home region - South Eastern Europe. As a strategic member of the Group responsible for leasing, NLB Lease&Go d.o.o. aims to change the game of leasing business and make leasing an important pillar of the NLB Group's business once again. By leveraging the synergies of the Group's expertise, the company is helping to shape the development of the business model and strengthen the NLB Group's footprint in the South-Eastern Europe region. The company offers services of finance lease and operative lease for movable property, which includes financing of personal and commercial vehicles, production and other equipment, vessels, etc.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Computools to accomplish?

• We hired Computools to redesign our online platform

SOLUTION

How did you find Computools?

Clutch Site

Why did you select Computools over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from Computools were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

They developed a new website for us, redesigned our landing pages, added regional web pages, and streamlined data processing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The website’s new functionality received very positive feedback from clients.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

It's been comfortable to communicate with their team, always on time and updated us on every step.

What was your primary form of communication with Computools?

Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

A very comfortable collaboration and clear communication on every stage of platform development and maintenance. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something Computools could have done differently?

None